Brookfield Duece

Brookfield Duece, an artist from East Oakland, has a foundational connection to music, having grown up alongside NBA player Damian Lillard and sharing early experiences in choir. His career took a significant turn when he drove Lillard’s U-Haul from Oakland to Portland after Lillard was drafted, leading to years living in Portland and collaborating with Pacific Northwest artists such as Aminé. This period was crucial in the development of his musical identity and professional network, establishing connections that would later influence his trajectory.

Duece has released several solo albums, including “My Name is Duece” (2020), “America’s Orphans” (2019), and “Hoop Dreams” (2015), all under Front Page Music, an independent label co-founded by his cousin Damian Lillard, where Duece also serves as the A&R. In this role, he provides strategic insights for Lillard’s music projects and contributes to the label’s mission of empowering artists through creative expression. Beyond his individual work, Duece is a member of Grand Nationxl, a collective focused on artistic empowerment and community engagement. His involvement in this collective highlights his commitment to fostering collaborative spaces and supporting emerging talents within the music community.

A turning point in Duece’s life occurred around 2019, following a seven-year hiatus from music and a near-fatal event, which instilled in him a renewed sense of purpose and optimism. This experience deeply influenced his album “Coordinates,” narrated in part by Damian Lillard, which explores themes of resistance, empowerment, and community. Duece actively pushes against glorifying destructive themes in rap, instead promoting messages of mental independence and authenticity, even if it impacts mainstream popularity. He is also noted for co-directing the “Dre Grant” music video, a project that celebrates their shared upbringing and community in Brookfield Village.